|
Author: Aimee Deak Article source: http://www.workplaceblues.com/. Used with author's permission.
It's common to respond to stress by distracting yourself with your favorite comfort foods. Here are some ideas for healthier ways to cope when you're under pressure:
1. Do a preemptive strike on unhealthy eating. Keep unacceptable foods out of the house. If you know a particular food will be irresistible to you when you're stressed, make sure it is not within your grasp.
2. Keep your hands busy. Find something else to do with your hands besides eat. Keep the daily crossword handy, turn your attention to minor chores, surf the internet, or distract yourself by picking up the phone and calling your friends or family.
3. Reach for healthy snacks. If you have to eat, make sure that any foods you reach for will be healthy ones. Try crunchy vegetables like celery sticks, green-pepper strips, cauliflower buds, and broccoli florets. If you don't want them plain, dip them in hummus or an eggplant dip. Prepare these snacks ahead of time, and keep them in front of your refrigerator.
4. Avoidance! If you find it hard to stop eating something once you've started, your best bet may be to avoid the food completely. Once you give in, it's all too easy to overeat without thinking about it. Take it from me, the ultimate Peanut Butter Abuser!
It is not easy to resist cravings yet also to respond to hunger. Sometimes, it's not always easy to tell which is which.
Here are guidelines for telling the difference:
Hunger is the feeling you get when your blood sugar gradually drops; about four or five hours after a meal. It's your body's way of telling you that you're past due for your next feeding. Cravings, on the other hand, happen within a couple of hours after a meal. They occur as a result of reactive hypoglycemia; when your brain realizes your blood sugar is too-low and your body starts to crave foods that will give it a fast fix—usually a High-Glycemic carbohydrate. See http://www.aim4nutrition.com/glycemicindex.html
Reactive hypoglycemia is a vicious cycle. Once you eat a High-Glycemic carb to cure your cravings, you've set yourself up for another spike and subsequent quick drop in blood sugar—which will, in turn, make you crave more carbs. Because it may not always be possible to determine whether you are experiencing cravings or real hunger, it's best to eat consistent, regular meals and healthy snacks throughout the day. If you don't give your body the chance to be hungry, you won't be at risk of having cravings.
One thing to look out for; sugar, fat and salt can be addictive. The foods we crave usually have plenty of these ingredients. Sweet foods have almost as much salt and fat as potato chips. Salty foods such as crackers and spreads have fat and added sugar. The more you eat sugar, the more your body can tolerate it, so your body starts craving it more often to feel satisfied.
The first step to control cravings is to take unnecessary salt and sugar out of your diet. READ the ingredients list and choose simpler foods with much less salt and sugar.
Satisfy cravings with the most nutritious version of the foods you like. If you crave chocolate, pick dark chocolate. It is rich in magnesium, fiber, antioxidants and, compared to milk chocolate, it is a bit lower in sugar, fat and calories. The fat is dark chocolate does not raise cholesterol or harm blood vessels the way milk chocolate can. Have a small portion of 1.5 ounces.
Hunger is intensified too much by variety. Limit meals & snacks to one kind of food at any given time of day and you'll fill up faster on few calories. Uniform eating will help you be more successful at losing fat and will make it easy for you to food shop.
Don't starve yourself. It will eventually backfire and lead you to binge. If you are hungry, then eat. Just choose healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains
My fat loss and fitness plan "Every Body Loses" will give you the tools you need to begin a healthy fat loss program. The style of eating and exercising outlined in my book is one that you can follow for life without feeling deprived. If you're serious about losing fat and getting fit go to http://www.aim4nutrition.com and get started TODAY!
Aimee Deak
Personal Trainer & Nutrition Analyst
AIM 4 NUTRITION
http://www.aim4nutrition.com Aimee Deak is a certified personal trainer, nutrition analyst and
author of the book, "Every Body Loses", an easy-to follow,
step-by-step guide to fat loss.
You can find more information about fat loss and exercise on her
website http://www.aim4nutrition.com
Go Ahead, Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Call a Reporter
Yes, you can call a reporter.
Pet Id Tags
Pet id tags will give your pet amazing visibility when it needs you the most, by Terry Price
The Lead: Sinking The Hook Into Your Prospect
You only have an instant to capture your prospect's attention. No matter the medium - a sales letter, print ad, or commercial - she's going to make an almost in...
Daily Treadmill Workouts are a Great Way to Keep in Shape
An informational article about how you can use a treadmill in your everyday life to help you keep in shape.
Concerned About Photo Printing Services?
Put your concerns to rest.
Why Writing Articles Is Much Better Than Search Engine Optimization
Find out how you can increase your website traffic and boost your PR using articles.
How Important is Content to a Successful Website
A brief guide on the importance of text rich content if you want your website to be a success
Parenting Your Teenager: Are Sleep Overs with the Opposite Sex OK?
Learn how to apply a healthy dose of Vitamin NO in the face of manipulation.
The Amazing Benefits of Resistance Training
When it comes to exercise, resistance training is often overlooked. Resistance training is an essential part of any fitness program and has many amazing benefit...
Benefits of a Remortgage
There are many benefits in choosing a remortgage, some of which are listed below.
6 Important Tips For Choosing Ezine To Advertise In
Choosing Ezine to advertise in,need strategy. Advertising budget, buy ads, test and optimize the result. Being Unique. Compare the number subscriber Vs the s...
Testimonials - FREE Quality Advertising FOR YOU!
How do you get to have YOUR business address on as many high quality sites and other people's brochures and catalogues - and for FREE?
Make a Game of Your Guitar Practice and Surprise Yourself
We all know we need to practice to improve our guitar skills, but have you ever determined exactly what your skills are today and a measureable result that you ...
Optimize Your Pay Per Click Ads - 3 Quick Tips
Optimize your pay per click advertising campaign with these 3 simple tips. Leave your competition in the dust and attract tons of ready-to-buy traffic to your w...
German Sheperds
This is an interesting article about the origins of the german sheperd dog also commonly known as alsatians. How they have been used as working dogs over the ye...
Chris Top 7 Favorite Leadership Books
Chris Widener's top 7 favorite books on leadership.
Healing Waters of California
Hot Springs Resorts from the past offer healing energy and plenty of hot water to soak your ailments away. In the busy, fast-paced world we live in, a trip back...
The Surprising Impact Of Viagra On Love And Relationships
Yes, the drug is enormously powerful, and it can be a lifesaver
for many men, but it has also turned a bright spotlight on previously
hidden areas of sexuality ...
Story and Screenplay Structure
Structure is beneficial to creative output in a number of ways. There are at least two types of structure, work processes and frameworks:
An Image Makeover that will Change Your Life Forever
Some people seem to have everything, great friends, a great career and a loving family. They possess a magnetism that draws everyone to them. Is it luck? Are th...
The Myth of Time Management
Are you fooling yourself when it comes to time management? Find out the real deal and save yourself time and stress.
21 Ways To Expand Your Subscriber List
Marketing Master, Catherine Franz, is sharing with you
twenty- one methods, strategies, and ideas all under the
same roof, on on commonly used and unique method...
Empowerment and Self-Control - What it Really Takes to get Control of your Weight
Control is what you gain once you realize that no one will take care of you. You might think its ok to live with our grown children when we are infirm, but we b...
Gift Ideas for Bird Lovers
Some of the best gifts you can give to a bird lover are those that have to do with birds! :) Here are a few favorites of all bird lovers:
|
Print this page